Pierluisi: FAA assigns $1.1M to 3 Puerto Rico airports

The Federal Aviation Administration has assigned more than $1.1 million in funds to the Puerto Rico Ports Authority for improvements and equipment purchases at three Puerto Rico airports, Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi said Monday.

The three airports are: José Aponte de la Torre in Ceiba, Rafael Hernández in Aguadilla and Mercedita Airport in Ponce.

“These funds are important because they are aimed at improving specific areas, as well as the purchase of equipment needed for better and safer operation,” Pierluisi said. “Although the three are not major airports, they are airports with significant air traffic, and maintenance is critical to passenger safety,” Pierluisi said.

According to the breakdown, the José Aponte de la Torre Airport will receive an allocation of $225,000 for the purchase of equipment needed to keep the runway area clean.

The Rafael Hernández Airport will receive an allocation of $630,000 to conduct an environmental assessment that will evaluate any potential environmental impacts related to the construction of a temporary runway and the reconstruction of the current runway.

Finally, Ponce’s Mercedita Airport will receive $315,000 for the installation of an Automated Weather Observing System III. This system aims to improve the safety and efficiency of air operations at the airport, providing accurate, current and site-specific weather information, Pierluisi explained.